“When I am in the skin of Moebius, I draw in a state of trance,I try to escape from my ‘ego.’”

— Jean “Moebius” Giraud

Among the most ubiquitous of Moebius‘ many, many famous science fiction illustrations is “The Starwatcher,” a hypnotically beautiful piece that, in the simplest terms, depicts a pretty girl sitting on a bench. Naturally, the painting includes much more, like an otherworldly setting, dramatic architecture, sci-fi accoutrements, a mysterious box and a glowing object within.

Blueberry

In 1962, Giraud and writer Jean-Michel Charlier started the comic strip Fort Navajo for Pilote magazine. The Lieutenant Blueberry character, whose facial features were based on those of the actor Jean-Paul Belmondo, was created in 1963 by Charlier (scenario) and Giraud (drawings) and quickly became its most popular figure. His adventures featured in the spin-off Western serial Blueberry may be Giraud's work best known in his native France, before later collaborations with Alejandro Jodorowsky.

Under the pseudonym Moebius he created a wide range of science fiction and fantasy comics in a highly imaginative and surreal almost abstract style, the most famous of which are Arzach, The Airtight Garage of Jerry Cornelius, and The Incal.